Ground staff today are busy laying new turf at The Walkers Stadium knowing that it has to be ready in a week’s time for the visit of Millwall. Anyone watching the cup tie last weekend will have noticed that the pitch was showing signs of wear and tear but none of us can have imagined that this would lead to the pitch being ripped up and replaced within a few days.

The problem started during the recent spell of freezing weather when Sven used the pitch for training sessions which in turn led to higher than normal levels of use and wear. The decision to replace the worn turf would seem to reflect a new level of wealth at the club as a new pitch can usually cost in the region of £100,000 and such a move is usually the preserve of richer clubs such as Chelsea and Man United.

If the team is to maintain its improving form playing good football then it will need to do so on a carpet and not a cabbage patch. Let’s hope that the ‘carpet’ is laid and ready in time for Millwall.